Earth Science

Within LEC, the Earth Science Group research activities span four main areas of expertise: Volcanology and Hazards, Contemporary Environmental Processes, Sub-surface Fluids, and Palaeoclimatology and Palaeoenvironments.

Volcanology and Hazards

The Volcanology research group at Lancaster investigates the processes that control hazardous volcanic activity. We have a wide range of expertise, spanning field measurement, experimentation, numerical modelling and geochemistry. Our current projects include characterisation of advancing basalt and rhyolite lava flows using imaging techniques, investigation of Strombolian eruptions using analogue experiments, the study of ash generation and transport in recent Icelandic eruptions, experimental degassing and crystallisation of magma, and both modelling and geochemical studies of volcano-ice interactions.

Contemporary Environmental Processes

LEC’s research in contemporary environmental processes aims to better understand the dynamics involved in glacial, coastal and fluvial systems, as well as studying atmospheric particulate pollution. Our active projects employ a wide range of approaches ranging from remote sensing to magnetic and isotopic techniques.

Sub-surface Fluids

Our research into sub-surface fluids involves studying the wide variety of fluids that are found in the Earth’s crust. We have diverse projects ranging from looking at groundwater quality and flow to how hydrocarbon reservoirs form and evolve. We are actively engaged in analytical and modelling studies of natural CO2in the subsurface, not only as a means to understand how safe carbon capture and storage is, but also as a way to identify how the crust and the atmosphere interact over geological time. We also have interests in the subsurface processes that occur during fracking.

Unlocking the secrets of the deepWhat is a Himalayan geologist, typically acclimatized to working at altitudes in excess of 4000m, doing in the Bay of Bengal, bobbing around at sea level? Dr Yani Najman explains.

"Outstanding scientist" wins medalProfessor Barbara Maher has been awarded the Mineralogical Society-Schlumberger Award (2014) for her work. The annual award was founded in 1990 to recognize scientific excellence in mineralogy and its applications.

Lava sighting solves mysteryScientists have made the first ever observations of how a rare type of lava continues moving almost a year after a volcanic eruption.

Ancient volcanic activity on asteroidsEmeritus Professor Lionel Wilson explains how data from the spacecraft Dawn show that the same kinds of volcanic eruptions that happen on Earth now took place on some asteroids 4570 million years ago.

Volcanic ash study prizeA mature student’s undergraduate dissertation could help in the development of a volcanic ash early warning system for aircraft.